The King hopes to boost AL squad

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SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners might be more than a home run or two away from a World Series berth, but ace Felix Hernandez is hoping to do everything he can to give the American League home-field advantage in the Fall Classic.

Hernandez is the only Mariners player realistically eligible to play in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. Hisashi Iwakuma, another Mariners representative to the All-Star game, will most likely not play because he pitched in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Anaheim Angels.

Hernandez has pitched in three previous All-Star Games, including 2009, 2011 and 2012. He was selected to this year’s squad with a 2.53 ERA in 138.2 innings pitched, with a 10-4 record. Iwakuma has an 8-4 record in 131 innings with a 3.02 ERA. No Mariners position player was selected to play in the game that pits National League up against the American League. The winning team’s league will have home-field advantage in the World Series.

According to SeattleMariners.com, Hernandez has a tattoo on his right forearm for each year he has played in the All-Star Game. He plans to add a 2014 tattoo shortly.

Detroit pitcher Max Scherzer and Mets pitcher Matt Harvey will start the game for their respective teams.

The game — held at New York’s Citi Field — begins at 4:30 PST and can be viewed on Q13 FOX.